Brad Bates named director of athletics

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Brad Bates has been named Miami’s new director of athletics. Bates, 43, comes from Vanderbilt University, where he has served as the senior associate director of athletics since 1998.

"From everything we have been able to learn about Brad, he is one of the up-and-coming shining lights of athletic administration," said President James C. Garland. "He is dynamic, articulate, knowledgeable and well-liked and respected by everybody he has worked with. The pool of candidates we had to select from was extremely strong, and choosing among such highly qualified men and women was a significant challenge. Nevertheless, I am confident that Brad is an excellent fit for Miami and is the right person to lead us forward."

Along with overseeing the administration of all 15 sports at Vanderbilt, Bates was highly involved in the department’s decision-making processes, relating to budgeting, marketing, development, licensing, Title IX compliance and other various day-to-day operations.

In his 17 years at Vanderbilt, Bates has worked his way up, serving in several different capacities including associate director of athletics for revenue sports and internal operations (1996-98), associate director of athletics for internal operations (1995-96), assistant athletic director for student life (1989-95) and interim assistant athletic director for compliance and student life (1994).

A 1981 graduate of the University of Michigan, Bates was a walk-on defensive back for the Wolverines from 1977-81. While serving as Michigan’s graduate assistant for football in 1982, he earned a master’s degree in education. He earned a doctorate in 1998 from Vanderbilt.

Bates replaces Joel Maturi, who left in July to become the director of athletics at the University of Minnesota. Bates and his wife Michele will arrive at Miami by Dec. 1.